Spatial light modulator for reduction of certain order light

ABSTRACT

A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel mirrors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel mirrors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel mirrors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel mirrors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of priorityfrom U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/012,575 filed Jun. 19, 2018which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/523,213 filed Jun. 21, 2017 and European PatentApplication No. 17186142.0 filed Aug. 14, 2017, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to spatial light modulators, and moreparticularly to spatial light modulators for producing images with highcontrast.

Description of the Background Art

Spatial light modulators (SLMs) are known. SLMs are typically sectionedinto pixels, with each pixel being driven separately to introduce aspatially varying change in an incident lightfield. Through spatialvariation of lightfields, SLMs can be used to generate a pre-definedimage from a spatially homogenous lightfield. SLMs include amplitudemodulators, which attenuate the amplitude of incident light, and phasemodulators, which alter the phase of incident light. Both amplitudemodulators and phase modulators have significant drawbacks.

Amplitude modulators utilize liquid crystals, for example, to variablydarken areas within the incident lightfield that correspond toindividual pixels of the modulator. An image is formed by darkening eachpixel in an amount that corresponds to the brightness of a correspondingregion of the desired image. Liquid crystals control amplitude byvarying phase, which varies polarization due to the birefringent natureof the liquid crystals, and utilizing external polarizers (or polarizersbuilt into the modulator) to convert the polarization change to anamplitude change. Typical amplitude modulators have a relatively lowlimit for achievable contrast, because, among other things, reflections(i.e., 0^(th) order light) from various refractive interfaces within thedevices brighten regions on the resultant image that are intended to bedark.

Phase modulators utilize, for example, liquid crystals to variablyintroduce a phase change to areas of the incident light that correspondto individual pixels of the modulator. The phase changes introduceinterference between light from different pixels, effectively steeringthe modulated light in a predictable manner. An image is formed bysteering light toward brighter areas of the image and away from darkerareas of the image. Known phase modulators have a relatively low limitfor achievable contrast in images with a total irradiance that issignificantly dimmer than the incident lightfield, because unwantedlight is not attenuated, as in an amplitude modulator.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example SLM 100 according to theprior art. SLM 100 includes a cover glass 102, an electrode 104, aliquid crystal layer 106, a dielectric layer 108, and a plurality ofpixel mirrors 110 formed on a substrate 112. Light is incident on coverglass 102 at an angle. Most of the incident light is transmitted intocover glass 102, but a portion of the incident light is reflected at anangle θ with respect to the normal to cover glass 102, which is equal tothe angle of the incident light with respect to the normal to coverglass 102. Another portion of the transmitted light is reflected fromthe bottom surface of cover glass 102 and is transmitted from coverglass 102 at an identical angle θ. The rest of the transmitted lighttravels through the various layers of SLM 100 (being modulated by liquidcrystal layer 106 on the way), reflects off pixel mirrors 110, travelsback through the various layers of SLM 100, and is transmitted into thesurrounding area at an identical angle θ. Because each of the unwanted,reflected portions of light are traveling at the same angle with respectto cover glass 102 as the desired, modulated light, they will follow thesame path, thus, decreasing the overall contrast of the resultant image.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed at providing a spatial lightmodulator having high contrast. In one example, a particular geometricalrelationship between the cover glass and the pixel mirrors introducesangular diversity between rays of the modulated light and correspondingrays of the unmodulated, reflected light. In another example, thegeometry of the cover glass introduces destructive interference betweenlight reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. Inyet another example, an optical filter is used to filter unwanted lightfrom the generated image. In yet another example, antireflectivecoatings are disposed between layers of the spatial light modulator toeliminate reflections at refractive interfaces.

An exemplary spatial light modulator includes a substrate, a pixelmirror formed on the substrate, a modulation layer, and a transparentcover. The pixel mirror is configured to reflect light and to have anoperational voltage asserted thereon. The modulation layer is disposedover the pixel mirror and configured to modulate light based, at leastin part, on the operational voltage asserted on the pixel mirror. Thetransparent cover is disposed over the modulation layer and has apredetermined geometrical relationship with the pixel mirror. A firstportion of light incident on the transparent cover is reflected asunmodulated light. A second portion of light incident on the transparentcover passes through the transparent cover, passes through themodulation layer, is reflected by the pixel mirror, passes through themodulation layer again, and is transmitted by the transparent cover asmodulated light. The geometrical relationship is such that theunmodulated light is separated from the modulated light.

In examples, the geometrical relationship is configured to introduce anangular difference between the unmodulated light and the modulatedlight. In one example, the geometrical relationship includes the pixelmirror having a top surface oriented substantially parallel with respectto the substrate, and the transparent cover having a top surfaceoriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the substrate. In anotherexample, the geometrical relationship includes the pixel mirror having atop surface oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the substrate,and the transparent cover having a top surface oriented substantiallyparallel with respect to the substrate.

In yet other examples, the geometrical relationship eliminates at leastsome of the unmodulated light by destructive interference. In oneexample spatial light modulator, the geometrical relationship includesthe transparent cover having a top surface and a bottom surface, the topsurface being oriented substantially parallel with respect to the bottomsurface. In addition, the top surface and the bottom surface areseparated by a particular distance, such that some of the unmodulatedlight that reflects from the top surface and some of the unmodulatedlight that reflects from the bottom surface have a predetermined phasedifference. In a more particular example, the predetermined phasedifference is equal to one half of a wavelength of the incident light.

Yet other example spatial light modulators employ anti-reflectivecoatings. One example additionally includes an electrode layer formedbetween the modulation layer and the transparent cover, and ananti-reflective coating positioned between the electrode layer and thetransparent cover or between the electrode layer and the modulationlayer. Another example additionally includes an electrode layer formedbetween the modulation layer and the transparent cover, a firstanti-reflective coating positioned between the electrode layer and thetransparent cover, and a second anti-reflective coating positionedbetween the electrode layer and the modulation layer. In disclosedexamples, the modulation layer is a liquid crystal layer and,optionally, the second anti-reflective coating is optimized for theliquid crystal layer being in its black state.

Example methods of manufacturing a high contrast spatial light modulatorare also disclosed. One example method includes providing a substrateand forming a pixel mirror on the substrate. The pixel mirror isconfigured to reflect light and to have an operational voltage assertedthereon. The example method additionally includes providing a modulationlayer over the pixel mirror. The modulation layer is operable tomodulate light passing therethrough based at least in part on theoperational voltage. The example method additionally includes providinga transparent cover over the modulation layer. The transparent coverreflects a first portion of light incident on the transparent cover asunmodulated light, transmits a second portion of light incident on thetransparent cover through the modulation layer toward the pixel mirror,and transmits the second portion of light reflected from the pixelmirror as modulated light. The pixel mirror and the transparent coverhave a geometrical relationship such that the unmodulated light isseparated from the modulated light.

In a particular example method, the geometrical relationship isconfigured to introduce an angular separation between the unmodulatedlight and the modulated light. In another particular example method, thegeometrical relationship includes the pixel mirror having a top surfaceoriented substantially parallel with respect to the substrate, and thetransparent cover having a top surface oriented at a nonzero angle withrespect to the substrate. In another particular example method, thegeometrical relationship includes the pixel mirror having a top surfaceoriented at a nonzero angle with respect to the substrate, and thetransparent cover having a top surface oriented substantially parallelwith respect to the substrate.

In other particular examples, the geometrical relationship eliminates atleast some of the unmodulated light by, for example, destructiveinterference and/or anti-reflective coatings. In one example method, thegeometrical relationship includes the transparent cover having a topsurface and a bottom surface, the top surface being orientedsubstantially parallel with respect to the bottom surface. In addition,the top surface and the bottom surface are separated by a particulardistance, such that some of the unmodulated light that reflects from thetop surface and some of the unmodulated light that reflects from thebottom surface have a predetermined phase difference. In a disclosedmethod, the phase difference is equal to one half of a wavelength of theincident light.

Another disclosed method additionally includes forming an electrodelayer between the modulation layer and the transparent cover, andforming a first anti-reflective coating between the electrode layer andthe transparent cover or between the electrode layer and the modulationlayer. Yet another disclosed method additionally includes forming anelectrode layer between the modulation layer and the transparent cover,forming a first anti-reflective coating between the electrode layer andthe transparent cover, and forming a second anti-reflective coatingbetween the electrode layer and the modulation layer. In a particularexample method, the step of forming a modulation layer over the pixelmirror includes applying a liquid crystal layer above the pixel mirror,and the second anti-reflective coating is optimized when the liquidcrystal layer is in its black state.

An example image projector is also disclosed. The example imageprojector includes a controller, a light source, a phase modulatingspatial light modulator (PMSLM), an optical component, a filter, and anamplitude modulating spatial light modulator (AMSLM). The controller isoperative to receive image data and to provide control signals based atleast in part on the image data. The light source is configured toprovide an illumination beam. The PMSLM is configured to selectivelysteer portions of the illumination beam, to create a modulatedillumination beam, responsive to signals from the controller. Themodulated illumination beam includes light modulated by the PMSLM andunmodulated light reflected from the PMSLM. The optical component isdisposed in the path of the modulated illumination beam, and the filteris disposed at or near a Fourier plane of the optical component. Thefilter is operative to at least partially block the unmodulated lightreflected from the PMSLM to create a filtered, modulated illuminationbeam. The AMSLM is disposed in the filtered, modulated illumination beamand configured to selectively modulate the amplitude of portions of thefiltered, modulated illumination beam to create an imaging beam, whichcan be projected onto a display surface by projection optics.

In a particular exemplary projector, the filter includes an opaqueregion at a center of the filter. In another particular exampleprojector, the filter includes an opaque region disposed on an opticalaxis of the optical component. In yet another particular exampleprojector, the filter includes a polarized region at a center of thefilter. Optionally, the filter is rotatable about an axis passingthrough the polarized region.

Various features of the disclosed filters can be used in combination.For example, in one example projector, the filter includes an opaqueregion displaced from an optical axis of the optical component, and thePMSLM is operative to steer unwanted light toward the opaque region. Inthis example projector, the filter also includes a second opaque regiondisposed on the optical axis of the optical component. In anotherexample projector, the filter includes an opaque region disposed toblock the unmodulated light, and the PMSLM steers unwanted, modulatedlight toward the opaque region.

An exemplary disclosed projector is capable of filtering the 0^(th)order reflected light, while preserving the DC component of thegenerated lightfield. In the exemplary projector, the controller isconfigured to determine a first set of steering angles required toprovide a desired light field based at least in part on the receivedimage data. Each angle of the first set of steering angles is confinedto a predetermined range of angles. The controller adds a predeterminedlightfield steering angle to every steering angle of the first set ofsteering angles contributing to the lightfield to generate a set ofadjusted steering angles. The adjusted steering angles all have valuesthat differ from zero by a predetermined amount. The controller thenprovides control signals to the PMSLM, causing the modulated light to besteered at the adjusted steering angles, thereby preventing the filterfrom blocking a DC component of the lightfield.

In a particular example projector, the first set of steering angles isin a range of −θ to +θ, the predetermined lightfield steering angle isΦ, and |Φ|>|θ|.

An exemplary method of improving contrast in a projected image is alsodisclosed. The exemplary method includes receiving image data, andselectively steering portions of an illumination beam to generate adesired light field based at least in part on the image data. The methodadditionally includes separating reflected, unsteerable portions of theillumination beam from the lightfield, modulating the lightfield togenerate an image corresponding to the received image data. In aparticular exemplary method, the step of separating includes introducingan angular disparity between the steered portions and the reflected,unsteerable portions of the illumination beam. In another exemplarymethod, the step of separating includes reducing the reflected,unsteerable light by destructive interference. In yet another exemplarymethod, the step of separating includes filtering the reflected,unsteerable portions of the illumination beam from the steered portionsof the illumination beam.

In disclosed methods, the filtering includes preserving the DC componentof the lightfield. For example, in one method, preserving the DCcomponent of the lightfield includes steering all of the lightfield byan amount sufficient to ensure that all portions of the illuminationbeam generating the lightfield are steered at angles that differ fromzero by a predetermined amount. In a particular exemplary method,preserving the DC component of the lightfield includes determining afirst set of steering angles required to generate the desired lightfield based at least in part on the received image data. The first setof steering angles is confined to a predetermined range of angles. Themethod additionally includes adding a predetermined lightfield steeringangle to every steering angle of the first set of steering anglescontributing to the lightfield to generate a set of adjusted steeringangles. The adjusted steering angles all have values that differ fromzero by a predetermined amount. For example, the first set of steeringangles is in a range of −θ to +θ, the predetermined lightfield steeringangle is Φ, and |Φ|>|θ|.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are described in more detail withreference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numbersdenote substantially similar elements:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary spatial light modulator(SLM) according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary projection system,including SLMs;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a principle of operation of anexemplary SLM suitable for use in the projection system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary SLM employing theoperational principle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate exemplary SLM employingthe operational principle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate principle ofoperation of an exemplary SLM suitable for use in the projection systemof FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary SLM employing theoperational principle of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing yet another alternate exemplarySLM suitable for use in the projection system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one example of lightfieldoptics/filters of projection system 200 in greater detail;

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing one example of the lightfieldoptics/filters of FIG. 9 in greater detail;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing potential undesirablefiltering of modulated light;

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the avoidance ofundesirable filtering by steering all modulated light (the entirelightfield) by a predetermined angle;

FIG. 11A is a front view showing the optical filter of FIG. 10A in moredetail;

FIG. 11B is a front view showing an alternate optical filter;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing alternate lightfieldoptics/filters;

FIG. 13 is a front view showing the optical filter of FIG. 12 in moredetail;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart summarizing an exemplary method for manufacturinga high contrast SLM; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart summarizing a method for generating a highcontrast lightfield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a spatial light modulator (SLM)configured to separate unwanted light from modulated light, in order toincrease contrast in displayed images. In one example, a modulatorintroduces angular diversity between the modulated light rays andreflected, unmodulated light rays through varying cover glass and/orpixel mirror geometries and/or relationships therebetween. In anotherexample, a filter associated with the modulator is configured to blockor attenuate unwanted light. In the following description, numerousspecific details are set forth (e.g., particular geometries, opticalelements, spatial light modulator (SLM) types, etc.) in order to providea thorough understanding of several aspects of the present disclosure.Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that said aspects maybe made use of apart from these specific details. For instance, examplesare shown that include liquid crystal SLMs. However, aspects of thedisclosure can be employed using other types of SLMs including, but notlimited to, digital mirror devices (DMDs), microelectromechanicalsystems (MEMS) devices, and any other SLM that might possibly generateunwanted reflections that reduce image quality. In other instances,details of well-known projection practices (e.g., spatial lightmodulation, image data processing, manufacturing, routine optimization,etc.) and components have been omitted, so as not to unnecessarilyobscure the present disclosure.

In the description of examples certain SLMs are referred to as “phasemodulating” and other SLMs are referred to as “amplitude modulating” todistinguish between an SLM that is used to steer light to create alightfield on a primary modulator and an SLM that modulates selectedportions of the lightfield to create an image for viewing. However,these terms are not used in a limiting sense. For example, DMDsselectively steer light along or out of an optical path, but are used asamplitude modulators by time multiplexing the amount of light steeredinto or out of an image to create an intermediate gray level (perceivedamplitude modulation). As another example, liquid crystal SLMsselectively alter the phase of light and can, therefore, be considered aphase modulating or beam steering device. However, the birefringentproperty of liquid crystals also results in polarization rotation, andso liquid crystal SLMs can be used with internal or external polarizersto provide amplitude modulation. Therefore, devices referred to as“amplitude modulating”, “phase modulating”, or “beam steering” areunderstood to include any device capable of performing the titledfunction, either alone or in combination with other devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image projector 200 capable of producinghigh contrast images. Image projector 200 includes an illuminationsource 202, lightfield optics/filters 204, high contrast imaging SLM(s)206, imaging optics 208, and a controller 210.

In this particular example, projector 200 is a dual modulationprojector. Dual modulation increases the dynamic range of projector 200by reducing light leakage at imaging SLM(s) 206. For example, the pixelsof imaging SLM(s) 206 that are displaying darker areas of an image areilluminated with less intense light, thereby decreasing the amount ofrequired attenuation by imaging SLM(s) 206. As a result, the lightoutput of dark pixels is closer to 0%, which improves the dynamic rangeof projector 200.

Illumination source 202 includes a plurality of individuallycontrollable light valves, which facilitate the emission of a modulatedillumination beam 214. In this example, illumination source 202 includesa light source 209, illumination optics 211, and high contrastillumination SLM(s) 220. Light source 209 generates a raw illuminationbeam 222, and directs raw illumination beam 222 toward illuminationoptics 211. Illumination optics 211 conditions raw illumination beam 222to generate a conditioned illumination beam 224 and directs conditionedillumination beam 224 to evenly impinge on illumination SLM(s) 220.Illumination SLM(s) 220 modulate conditioned illumination beam 224 toproduce modulated illumination beam 214 responsive to illumination dataprovided by controller 210. In this example, the individuallycontrollable light valves of illumination source 202 are pixels (orgroups of pixels) of illumination SLM(s) 220, which is/are reflectiveliquid crystal phase modulators capable of steering light beams atdesired angles.

Lightfield optics/filters 204 receives modulated imaging beam 214 andalters/redirects modulated imaging beam 214 in a predetermined way, inorder to illuminate high contrast imaging SLM(s) 206 with a desiredlightfield 216. Although shown as a beam transmitted from lightfieldoptics/filters 204 to imaging SLM(s) 206 for illustrative purposes,lightfield 216 is more accurately described as the light impinging onthe modulating surface(s) of imaging SLM(s) 206.

Imaging SLM(s) 206, responsive to image data from controller 210,modulate(s) lightfield 216 to infuse an imaging beam 218 with an imagecorresponding to the image data, and directs imaging beam 218 to imagingoptics 208. Imaging optics 208 focuses imaging beam 218 on a viewingsurface 225, where the projected images can be viewed (e.g., on a movietheater screen).

Controller 210 receives image/video data from a source (not shown) viadata input 226, adjusts the image data depending on lightfield 216,which is simulated by controller 210, and provides the adjusted imagedata to imaging SLM(s) 206.

In the example, illumination SLM(s) 220 and imaging SLM(s) 206 are highcontrast spatial light modulators. SLM(s) 220 and 206 increase contrastby redirecting unwanted light that reflects from optical interfaces ofSLM(s) 220 and 206 (i.e. 0^(th) order light) away from the desired,modulated light (i.e. 1^(st) order light). The present disclosurepresents various particular examples of SLM(s) 220 and 206 that generatehigh contrast images as illustrative examples, but it should beunderstood that the illustrative examples disclosed are not limiting.For example, SLM(s) 220 and 206 are shown in the following examples asliquid crystal SLMs. However, SLM(s) 220 and 206 can be any SLMs havinga cover glass or other front reflective surface, including, but notlimited to, digital micro-mirror devices, multi-element mirror devices,microelectromechanical devices, and/or any other spatial lightmodulators, including those yet to be invented.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a principle of operation of anexample SLM 302 suitable for use in projection system 200 as, forexample, SLM(s) 206 and/or 220. Incident light 304 (e.g., conditionedillumination beam 224 or lightfield 216) impinges on SLM 302. SLM 302modulates a portion of the incident light, but another portion of thelight reflects from various refraction interfaces on/within SLM 206 andremains unmodulated. SLM 302 is configured to create an angulardiversity between the modulated light 306 and the reflected, unmodulatedlight 308, such that modulated light 306 is directed toward imagingoptics 310, and reflected, unmodulated light 308 is directed toward andabsorbed by a light dump 312. SLM 302 is capable of producing imageswith relatively high contrast because the unwanted, reflected light thatnormally pollutes displayed images is instead eliminated.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example SLM 400 employing theoperational principle of angular diversity illustrated in FIG. 3. SLM 40includes a cover glass 402, a transparent electrode 404, a liquidcrystal layer 406, a dielectric layer 408, and a plurality of pixelmirrors 410 formed on a substrate 412. SLM 400 spatially modulatesincident light 414 by introducing a spatially varying voltage acrossliquid crystal layer 406. Electrode 404 is held at a reference voltageand each of pixel mirrors 410 has an operational voltage assertedthereon. The operational voltages asserted on pixel mirrors 410 generatea spatially varying electric field across liquid crystal layer 406. Thiselectric field causes optically relevant properties of the liquidcrystals to vary spatially. This spatial variation introduces aspatially varying polarization and/or phase adjustment into the lightthat travels through liquid crystal layer 406. The spatially modulatedlight is eventually utilized to generate images.

Cover glass 402 has a particular geometry configured to introduceangular diversity between the modulated light 418 and reflected,unmodulated light 416. Cover glass 402 has an angled top surface 420with respect to its bottom surface 422. The magnitude of the angle isgreatly exaggerated in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes. Incident light414 is mostly transmitted through cover glass 402 and into SLM 400, butabout four percent (4%) of the light is reflected at an angle θ_(r)equal to the angle of incidence of light 414 on top surface 420. Due tothe nonparallel orientation of top surface 420, the transmitted light isincident on pixel mirrors 410 at a slightly smaller angle of incidence,as compared to the case where top surface 420 is parallel to the topsurfaces of pixel mirrors 410. The resulting slightly smaller angle ofreflection from pixel mirrors 410, in combination with refraction byangled top surface 420, causes the transmitted, modulated light 418 tobe refracted, upon exiting cover glass 402, at an angle θ_(m) that isnot equal to the angle θ_(r) of the unmodulated reflected light 416.Therefore, the modulated light can be directed toward imaging optics 208(FIG. 2) and the reflected light can be directed toward a light dump424, because they do not travel in the same direction. The removal ofunmodulated light 416 from modulated light 418 results in an eventualimage with higher contrast.

In the example, only top surface 420 is oriented not parallel withrespect to pixel mirrors 410. In alternate examples, any additionalsurfaces, layers, and/or interfaces of SLM 400 can be oriented notparallel with respect to pixel mirrors 410. Additionally, the angle ofsurfaces, layers, and/or interfaces of SLM 400 can be made progressivelysteeper (or shallower) as a function of height in SLM 400. For example,if top surface 420 is angled 5 degrees with respect to pixel mirrors410, then bottom surface 422 can be angled 4 degrees with respect topixel mirrors 410, a bottom surface of electrode 404 can be angled 3degrees with respect to pixel mirrors 410, and so on. In addition, coverglass 402 can be designed with a variety of alternate geometries,including, but not limited to, spherical/aspherical, convex/concave,randomized, and grating surfaces and periodic arrays, in order tointroduce angular diversity between modulated light 418 and unmodulatedlight 416. Changes in the geometry of the cover glass that eliminateunmodulated light 416 can introduce complex changes in the resultinglightfield at, for example, a primary modulator. The complex changes inthe lightfield can be accommodated by complementary changes in thestructure of the primary modulator and/or image data driving the primarymodulator.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate example SLM 500employing the operational principle of angular diversity illustrated inFIG. 3. SLM 500 is substantially similar to SLM 400 except for a coverglass 502 and pixel mirrors 504. Cover glass 502 has a top surface 506that is substantially parallel to its bottom surface 508, and to mostother structures/layers of SLM 500, except for pixel mirrors 504.Instead, the top surface 510 of each pixel mirror 504 forms a nonzeroangle with respect to surfaces 506 and 508 of cover glass 502. Whenincident light 512 is transmitted through top surface 506 of cover glass502, it is refracted at a particular angle with respect to the normal oftop surface 506. Because the top surfaces 510 of pixel mirrors 504 aretilted with respect to top surface 506 of cover glass 502, the modulatedlight reflected by pixel mirrors 504 has a smaller angle of incidence onthe back surface of cover glass 502 and is, therefore, refracted bycover glass 502 at a smaller angle θ_(m) than the angle of reflectionθ_(r) of incident light 512. The angular diversity allows modulatedlight to be directed toward additional system optics (such as imagingoptics 208) and reflected light 516 to be directed toward a light dump518. As a result, an image generated from modulated light 514 will havehigher contrast. Additionally, pixel mirrors 510 favor angledillumination, and, therefore, this particular example reflects lightmore efficiently.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate principle ofoperation of an example SLM 602 suitable for use in projection system200. SLM 602 utilizes destructive interference to eliminate/reducereflected light, in order to increase contrast in a resultant image. SLM602 modulates a portion of incident light 604 to form modulated light606, and directs modulated light 606 toward additional system optics 608(e.g., lightfield optics/filter 204). Another portion of the incidentlight reflects from upper layers of SLM 602 and, therefore, escapesmodulation. However, the thicknesses of the upper layers can be selectedto eliminate the reflected light through destructive interference. Inparticular, the thickness of one or more upper layers (e.g., a coverglass) is specifically calibrated to induce a phase difference of pi(i.e. one-half wavelength) between the light reflected from a bottomsurface of the layer and a top surface of the layer. The phase changecauses the light reflected from the bottom surface of the layer todestructively interfere with the light reflected from the top surface ofthe layer. The destructive interference significantly reduces theintensity of the reflected, unmodulated light.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example SLM 700 employing theoperational principle of destructive interference illustrated in FIG. 6.SLM 700 is substantially similar to SLM 400, except that cover glass 702has a top surface 702 and a bottom surface 704 that are both parallel tothe top surfaces 708 of pixel mirrors 710. In addition, cover glass 702has a particular thickness (d), which induces a half-wavelength phasedifference between light reflected from top surface 704 and lightreflected from bottom surface 706 at top surface 704 of cover glass 702.The required thickness of cover glass 702 can be calculated for avariety of wavelengths of light from the angle of incidence, θ_(i), oflight 712 impinging onto top surface 704 of cover glass 702, as follows.

The phase change, δ, of the transmitted light is given by the following:

$\delta = {\frac{2\pi}{\lambda_{0}}n_{2}x_{2}}$

where λ₀ is equal to the wavelength of the transmitted light if it weretraveling through a vacuum, n₂ is the refractive index of cover glass702, and x₂ is the total distance traveled by the transmitted lightwithin cover glass 702.

The total distance travelled is calculated by forming a triangleconsisting of the thickness, d, of cover glass 702 as the leg adjacentto the angle of refraction, θ_(t), of the transmitted light and half ofthe total distance

$x_{2} = \frac{2d}{\cos \; \theta_{t}}$

traveled by the transmitted light as the hypotenuse (because a portionof the transmitted beam reflects from bottom surface 706). Then,

$\frac{x_{2}}{2}$

From Snell's law, the angle of refraction, θ_(t), of the transmittedlight can be calculated from the index of refraction of the surroundingmaterial and of cover glass 702 (n₁ and n₂, respectively) and the angleof incidence θ_(i), as shown:

${n_{1}\sin \; \theta_{i}} = {\left. {n_{2}\sin \; \theta_{t}}\rightarrow\theta_{t} \right. = {\sin^{- 1}\left( {\frac{n_{1}}{n_{2}}\sin \; \theta_{i}} \right)}}$

Setting δ equal to π and inserting the equation for x₂ above, gives:

$d = {\frac{\lambda_{0}}{4n_{2}}\cos \; \theta_{t}}$

and, finally,

$d = {\frac{\lambda_{0}}{4n_{2}}{\cos \left\lbrack {\sin^{- 1}\left( {\frac{n_{1}}{n_{2}}\sin \; \theta_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}$

Cover glass 702 is designed for use with a particular wavelength (orrange of wavelengths) of light. With thickness d, as calculated above,cover glass 702 will induce a half wavelength phase-shift on light thatreflects from bottom surface 706 and has a wavelength of λ₀ in a vacuum.Light that reflects from bottom surface 706 is completely out of phasewith the light that reflects from top surface 704, and so destructiveinterference significantly reduces the amount of reflected, unmodulatedlight in modulated light 714. Therefore, images generated by additionalsystem optics 608 will have higher contrast. It should be noted that,because cosine is a periodic function, there will be an infinite numberof solutions that satisfy the above equation for thickness of the coverglass with a given angle of incidence θ_(i). Using a cover glass 702with a thickness that results in a path length of the incident lightwithin cover glass 702 (from top surface 704, to back surface 706, andback to top surface 704) that is less than the coherence length of theincident light contributes to effective destructive interference.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing yet another alternate exampleSLM suitable for use in projection system 200. SLM 800 is substantiallysimilar to SLM 700 except that the cover glass 802 of SLM 800 is notnecessarily designed to provide destructive interference. Instead, SLM800 includes a first antireflective coating 802, a second antireflectivecoating 804, a third antireflective coating 806, and/or a fourthantireflective coating 808. First antireflective coating 802 is disposedabove a transparent cover glass 810, and reduces reflections of theincident light from cover glass 810. Second antireflective coating 804is disposed between cover glass 810 and an electrode 812. Antireflectivecoating 804 reduces reflections that would otherwise occur at theinterface between cover glass 810 and electrode 812. Thirdantireflective coating 806 is disposed between electrode 812 and aliquid crystal layer 814. Antireflective coating 806 reduces reflectionsthat would otherwise occur at the interface between electrode 812 andliquid crystal layer 814. Fourth antireflective coating 808 is disposedbetween liquid crystal layer 814 and a dielectric layer 816.Antireflective coating 808 reduces reflections that would otherwiseoccur at the interface between liquid crystal layer 814 and dielectriclayer 816.

In the example, antireflective coatings 802, 804, 806, and 808 aregraded-index antireflective coatings. It is advantageous to match theindex of refraction of the bottom layer of antireflective coating 806and of the top layer of antireflective coating 808 to the index ofrefraction exhibited by liquid crystal layer 814 when it is in itsblack-state. In alternate examples, antireflective coatings 802, 804,806, and 808 can also be multilayer thin-film optical coatings,single-layer interference coatings, or any other antireflectivecoatings, including those now known or yet to be developed.Additionally, any of antireflective layers 802, 804, 806, and/or 808 canbe utilized individually or in any combination of antireflective layers802, 804, 806, and/or 808, depending on the particular application.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one example of lightfieldoptics/filters 204 of projection system 200 in greater detail.Illumination SLM(s) 220 provide(s) a spatially modulated lightfield toSLM(s) 206, through lightfield optics/filters 204. SLM(s) 220 is/are (a)reflective phase modulator(s) that effectively steer(s) selectedportions of the incident light to generate a spatially variantlightfield. The steered light traverses lightfield optics/filters 204,which include a first optical element 902, an optical filter 904, and asecond optical element 906. First optical element 902 is, in theexample, a Fourier lens, which produces a Fourier transform of thesteered light in the Fourier plane. Optical filter 904 is located at ornear the Fourier plane of first optical element 902. Optical filter 904selectively filters portions of the Fourier transform corresponding toreflected, unmodulated light from SLM(s) 220, and second optical element906 focuses the filtered lightfield on SLM(s) 206. SLM(s) 206 is/are(an) amplitude modulating SLM(s), which generate(s) images by spatiallymodulating the lightfield produced by SLM(s) 220. Filtering thereflected, unmodulated light from the lightfield generated by SLM(s) 220results in higher contrast images being generated by SLM(s) 206.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing lightfield optics/filters 204in more detail. Light incident on SLM(s) 220 is steered toward firstoptical element 902, which, in this example, is a convex lens 1002. Lens1002 focuses a Fourier transform of the steered light onto an opticalfilter 1004 by directing rays to corresponding points of the filter,based on the angle of those rays with respect to the normal of SLM(s)220. For example, the two rays 1005 having angles equal to θ withrespect to the normal of SLM(s) 220 are redirected to an off-centerpoint on optical filter 1004. The other rays (two unmodulated, reflectedrays 1007 and one intentionally un-steered ray 1009), all of which havean angle of 0° with respect to the normal, are redirected to the centerof optical filter 1004. The light that is redirected to the center ofoptical filter 1004 includes the “DC term” of the modulated lightfieldand the unmodulated, reflected light. Optical filter 1004 is atransparent optical element having an opaque, light block disc 1006positioned in the center, which blocks the “DC term” of the modulatedlightfield and the unmodulated, reflected light. Thus, a user caneliminate unwanted light from the system by leaving it un-steered. Lightthat is not blocked continues onto second optical element 906, which, inthis example, is a convex lens 1008. Lens 1008 focuses the, nowdiverging, light from lens 1002 back to its initial trajectory towardSLM(s) 206 (FIG. 9).

In the example, optical filter 1004 is placed at the Fourier plane oflightfield optics/filters 204 to allow precise spatial filtering of thesteered lightfield. In alternate examples, optical filter 1004 can beplaced in other locations between lenses 1002 and 1008, in order tofilter less of the DC term light. Additionally, optical filter 1004 canbe made slidable with respect to lenses 1002 and 1008, in order tofilter more or less of the DC term, as needed for each particularapplication. In addition, light block disc 1006 can be a light block ofvarious shapes and sizes, such as one or more concentric rings.

An advantage of some examples of the present disclosure is the abilityto preserve the DC term of the desired lightfield, while at the sametime filtering out the reflected, unmodulated light (0^(th) order light)from the lightfield. An example method for preventing the desired DCterm light from being blocked by optical filter 1004 includes steeringthe entire image at a non-zero angle with respect to the normal of SLM220. To form an image, a steering solution is calculated by determininga steering angle for light from each region of SLM 220 (e.g. one or morepixels). The range of steering angles for the solution is constrained tothe interval [−0, 0], where θ is some fraction of the maximum steeringangle that SLM 220 is capable of producing. In most examples, thesolution will include some steering angles that are parallel to thenormal of SLM 220. However, adjusting the steering angles of thesolution to steer the entire lightfield by a predetermined amount canensure that the adjusted solution will not include any angles that willbe filtered out with the reflected, unmodulated (0^(th) order) light.This technique will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.10B and 10C.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the constrained range ofsteering angles available to SLM 220 in the initial image solution.Imaging beams 1010 range in angle from −θ to θ, including a zero anglein between. Because the zero-angle light 1011 is traveling perpendicularwith respect to the surface of SLM 220, it is blocked by optical filter1004, along with reflected beams 1012, which cannot be steered.

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view illustrating additional steering ofthe initial image solution of FIG. 10B. In order to retain theun-steered light 1011 in the image solution, the entire image is steeredby an additional angle ÷φ, where φ>θ and φ+θ is smaller than the maximumsteering angle that SLM 220 is capable of producing. Imaging beams 1010are each steered at an additional angle −φ, and now range in angle from(θ−φ) to −(θ+φ). Because the entire interval [(θ−φ),−(θ+φ)] is negative,none of the rays of the steered solution are normal to SLM 220 and,therefore, none of the image (including the DC term) is inadvertentlyblocked by optical filter 1004. In this way, reflected (0^(th) order)light 1012 can be removed from an image, without affecting the desiredimage itself.

This technique for preserving the DC term of the lightfield has beendescribed as a two-step process for ease of understanding. Inparticular, the technique has been described as first calculating asteering angle within the confined range to generate the desired lightfield, and then steering the entire lightfield by a adjusting thesteering angles by a predetermined amount. However, it should beunderstood that these steps can be consolidated into a single steeringangle computation that yields the adjusted steering angles in the firstinstance. It is not necessary to generate the initial steering angles,and then adjust those steering angles in a separate step.

FIG. 11A is a front view showing optical filter 1004 in more detail.Optical filter 1004 is a transparent, circular element with light blockdisc 1006 centered in the middle. In a particular example, opticalfilter 1004 is positioned so that light block disc is centered on theoptical axis of lens 1002. Light block disc 1006 blocks lightcorresponding to the DC term of the Fourier transform of the steeredlightfield.

FIG. 11B is a front view showing an alternate optical filter 1102.Optical filter 1102 is a transparent circular element with a polarizingdisc 1104 centered in the middle. For use in systems with some level oflight polarization, optical filter 1102 can provide adjustableattenuation of light corresponding to the DC term of the Fouriertransform of the steered lightfield. Optical filter 1102 is rotationallycoupled to a rotary actuator 1106, which selectively rotates in eitherdirection. Actuator 1106 rotates optical filter 1102 between 0° and 90°in order to alter the polarization orientation of polarizing disc 1104,with respect to the incident lightfield. Thus, the amount of lightcorresponding to the DC term that passes through optical filter 1102 canbe attenuated by driving actuator 1106.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an alternate lightfieldoptics/filters 1200. Lightfield optics/filters 1200 are substantiallysimilar to lightfield optics/filters 204 of FIG. 10A, except that filter1206 is configured to additionally block light that is steered in aparticular, predetermined direction. An example SLM 1202 (e.g. SLM(s)220) steers incident light to produce a desired lightfield. A firstconvex lens 1204, which is substantially similar to lens 1002, focusesthe steered light toward an optical filter 1206 located at or near theFourier plane. Filter 1206 is positioned with light blocking disc 1208at or near the optical axis of lens 1204. Optical filter 1206 is similarto optical filter 1004, except that optical filter 1206 includes acentered light blocking disc 1208 in combination with an additionallight blocking disc 1210 that is spaced apart from light blocking disc1208 at a predetermined position. Light blocking disc 1208 functions inthe same manner as light blocking disc 1006. Light blocking disc 1210 ispositioned to block light steered at a particular angle, such as, forexample, light with an angle of φ with respect to the normal of SLM1202, as shown in FIG. 12. As a result, unwanted light can be steered atangle φ in order to remove the light from the lightfield, using lightblocking disc 1210 as a light dump. A second convex lens 1212 thenfocuses the, now diverging, light from lens 1204 back to its initialtrajectory toward additional system optics (not shown).

FIG. 13 is a front view showing optical filter 1206 in more detail.Optical filter 1206 is a transparent, circular element with lightblocking disc 1208 located in the center and light block disc 1210located in predetermined position near peripheral portion of filter1206. Light blocking disc 1208 blocks the reflected, unmodulated (0^(th)order) light, and light blocking disc 1210 blocks light steered at thepredetermined angle φ.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart summarizing an example method 1400 formanufacturing an SLM. First, in a first step 1402, a substrate isprovided. Then, in a second step 1404, an array of pixel mirrors isformed on the substrate. Next, in a third step 1406, a liquid crystallayer is applied over the pixel mirrors. Finally, in a fourth step 1408,a transparent cover is positioned over the liquid crystal layer, suchthat the geometrical relationship and/or characteristics of thetransparent cover and the pixel mirrors separate light reflected off afront surface of the transparent cover from light modulated by andtransmitted from the SLM.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart summarizing an example method 1500 of generatinga high contrast lightfield. In a first step 1502, image data isreceived. Then, in a second step 1504, portions of an illumination beamare selectively steered to generate a lightfield based at least in parton the image data. Next, in a third step 1506, reflected, unsteerableportions of the illumination beam are separated from the lightfield.Then, in a fourth step 1508, the lightfield is modulated to generate animage corresponding to the received image data.

The description of particular examples of the present disclosure is nowcomplete. Many of the described features may be substituted, altered oromitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, alternate optical filters (e.g., non-transparent filters havingabsorptive, dichroic, etc. properties in addition to selective lightblocking properties), may be substituted for optical filters 1004, 1102,and 1206. As another example, SLMs 206, 500, 602, and 800 may have moreor fewer layers, as needed for particular applications. These and otherdeviations from the particular examples shown will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, particularly in view of the foregoing disclosure.

Various aspects of the present disclosure may be appreciated from thefollowing enumerated examples (EEs):

1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:

-   -   a substrate;    -   a pixel mirror formed on said substrate, said pixel mirror being        configured to reflect light that is modulated by said spatial        light modulator; and    -   a transparent cover disposed over said pixel mirror and having a        geometrical relationship with said pixel mirror; and wherein    -   a first portion of light incident on said transparent cover is        reflected as unmodulated light;    -   a second portion of light incident on said transparent cover        passes through said transparent cover, is reflected by said        pixel mirror, and is transmitted by said transparent cover as        modulated light; and    -   said geometrical relationship is such that said unmodulated        light is separated from said modulated light.

2. The spatial light modulator of EE 1, further comprising:

-   -   a modulation layer disposed over said pixel mirror and        configured to modulate light based at least in part on an        operational voltage asserted on said pixel mirror; and wherein    -   said second portion of light incident on said transparent cover        passes through said transparent cover, passes through said        modulation layer, is reflected by said pixel mirror, passes        through said modulation layer again, and is transmitted by said        transparent cover as modulated light.

3. The spatial light modulator of EE 1 or EE 2, wherein said geometricalrelationship is configured to introduce an angular difference betweensaid unmodulated light and said modulated light.

4. The spatial light modulator of any preceding EE, wherein saidgeometrical relationship includes:

-   -   said pixel mirror having a top surface oriented substantially        parallel with respect to said substrate; and    -   said transparent cover having a top surface oriented at a        non-zero angle with respect to said substrate.

5. The spatial light modulator of any one of EEs 1 to 3, wherein saidgeometrical relationship includes:

-   -   said pixel mirror having a top surface oriented at a non-zero        angle with respect to said substrate; and    -   said transparent cover having a top surface oriented        substantially parallel with respect to said substrate.

6. The spatial light modulator of any preceding EE, wherein saidgeometrical relationship eliminates at least some of said unmodulatedlight by destructive interference.

7. The spatial light modulator of any preceding EE, wherein saidgeometrical relationship includes:

-   -   said transparent cover having a top surface and a bottom        surface, said top surface being oriented substantially parallel        with respect to said bottom surface; and    -   said top surface and said bottom surface being separated by a        particular distance, such that some of said unmodulated light        that reflects from said top surface and some of said unmodulated        light that reflects from said bottom surface have a        predetermined phase difference.

8. The spatial light modulator of EE 7, wherein said phase difference isequal to one half of a wavelength of said incident light.

9. The spatial light modulator of any preceding EE, further comprising:

-   -   a modulation layer disposed between said transparent cover and        said pixel mirror;    -   an electrode layer formed between said modulation layer and said        transparent cover; and    -   an anti-reflective coating positioned between said electrode        layer and said transparent cover or between said electrode layer        and said modulation layer.

10. The spatial light modulator of any preceding EE, further comprising:

-   -   a modulation layer disposed between said transparent cover and        said pixel mirror;    -   an electrode layer formed between said modulation layer and said        transparent cover;    -   a first anti-reflective coating positioned between said        electrode layer and said transparent cover; and    -   a second anti-reflective coating positioned between said        electrode layer and said modulation layer.

11. The spatial light modulator of EE 9 or EE 10, wherein:

-   -   said modulation layer is a liquid crystal layer; and    -   said second anti-reflective coating is optimized for said liquid        crystal layer being in its black state.

12. The spatial light modulator of any preceding EE, wherein said pixelmirror is movable with respect to said substrate.

13. A method for manufacturing a spatial light modulator, said methodcomprising:

-   -   providing a substrate;    -   forming a pixel mirror on said substrate, said pixel mirror        being configured to reflect light modulated by said spatial        light modulator; and    -   providing a transparent cover over said pixel mirror, said        transparent cover reflecting a first portion of light incident        on said transparent cover as unmodulated light, transmitting a        second portion of light incident on said transparent cover        toward said pixel mirror, and transmitting said second portion        of light reflected from said pixel mirror as modulated light;        and wherein    -   said pixel mirror and said transparent cover have a geometrical        relationship such that said unmodulated light is separated from        said modulated light.

14. The method of EE 13, further comprising providing a modulation layerbetween said transparent cover and said pixel mirror, said modulationlayer operable to modulate light passing therethrough based at least inpart on an operational voltage asserted on said pixel mirror.

15. The method of EE 13 or EE 14, wherein said geometrical relationshipis configured to introduce an angular separation between saidunmodulated light and said modulated light.

16. The method of any one of EEs 13 to 15, wherein said geometricalrelationship includes:

-   -   said pixel mirror having a top surface oriented substantially        parallel with respect to said substrate; and    -   said transparent cover having a top surface oriented at a        nonzero angle with respect to said substrate.

17. The method of any one of EEs 13to 16, wherein said geometricalrelationship includes:

-   -   said pixel mirror having a top surface oriented at a nonzero        angle with respect to said substrate; and    -   said transparent cover having a top surface oriented        substantially parallel with respect to said substrate.

18. The method of any one of EEs 13 to 17, wherein said geometricalrelationship eliminates at least some of said unmodulated light.

19. The method of any one of EEs 13 to 18, wherein said geometricalrelationship includes:

-   -   said transparent cover having a top surface and a bottom        surface, said top surface being oriented substantially parallel        with respect to said bottom surface; and    -   said top surface and said bottom surface being separated by a        particular distance, such that some of said unmodulated light        that reflects from said top surface and some of said unmodulated        light that reflects from said bottom surface have a        predetermined phase difference.

20. The method of EE 19, wherein said phase difference is equal to onehalf of a wavelength of said incident light.

21. The method of any one of EEs 13 to 20, further comprising:

-   -   forming a modulation layer between said transparent cover and        said pixel mirror;    -   forming an electrode layer between said modulation layer and        said transparent cover; and    -   forming a first anti-reflective coating between said electrode        layer and said transparent cover or between said electrode layer        and said modulation layer.

22. The method of any one of EEs 13 to 21, further comprising:

-   -   forming a modulation layer between said transparent cover and        said pixel mirror;    -   forming an electrode layer between said modulation layer and        said transparent cover;    -   forming a first anti-reflective coating between said electrode        layer and said transparent cover; and    -   forming a second anti-reflective coating between said electrode        layer and said modulation layer.

23. The method of EE 21 or EE 22, wherein:

-   -   said step of forming a modulation layer over said pixel mirror        includes applying a liquid crystal layer above said pixel        mirror; and    -   said second anti-reflective coating is optimized when said        liquid crystal layer is in its black state.

24. An image projector comprising:

-   -   a controller operative to receive image data and to provide        control signals based at least in part on said image data;    -   a light source configured to provide an illumination beam;    -   a phase modulating spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to        selectively steer portions of said illumination beam to create a        modulated illumination beam responsive to signals from said        controller, said modulated illumination beam including light        modulated by said phase modulating SLM and unmodulated light        reflected from said phase modulating SLM;    -   an optical component disposed in the path of said modulated        illumination beam;    -   a filter disposed at or near a Fourier plane of said optical        component and operative to at least partially block said        unmodulated light reflected from said phase modulating SLM to        create a filtered, modulated illumination beam; and    -   an amplitude modulating spatial light modulator disposed in said        filtered, modulated illumination beam and configured to        selectively modulate the amplitude of portions of said filtered,        modulated illumination beam to create an imaging beam.

25. The image projector of EE 24, wherein said filter includes an opaqueregion at a center of said filter.

26. The image projector of EE 24 or EE 25, wherein said filter includesan opaque region disposed on an optical axis of said optical component.

27. The image projector of any one of EEs 24 to 26, wherein said filterincludes a polarized region at a center of said filter.

28. The image projector of EE 27, wherein said filter is rotatable aboutan axis passing through said polarized region.

29. The image projector of any one of EEs 24 to 28, wherein:

-   -   said filter includes an opaque region displaced from an optical        axis of said optical component; andd    -   said phase modulating SLM is operative to steer unwanted light        toward said opaque region.

30. The image projector of EE 29, wherein said filter includes a secondopaque region disposed on said optical axis of said optical component.

31. The image projector of any one of EEs 24 to 30, wherein:

-   -   said filter includes an opaque region disposed to block said        unmodulated light; and    -   said phase modulating SLM steers unwanted modulated light toward        said opaque region.

32. The image projector of any one of EEs 24 to 31, wherein saidcontroller is configured to:

-   -   determine a first set of steering angles required to provide a        desired light field based at least in part on said received        image data, said first set of steering angles being confined to        a predetermined range of angles;    -   add a predetermined lightfield steering angle to every steering        angle of said first set of steering angles contributing to said        lightfield to generate a set of adjusted steering angles, said        adjusted steering angles all having values that differ from zero        by a predetermined amount; and    -   provide control signals to said phase modulating SLM causing        said modulated light to be steered at said adjusted steering        angles, thereby preventing said filter from blocking a DC        component of said lightfield.

33. The image projector of EE 32, wherein:

-   -   said first set of steering angles is in a range of −θ to +θ;    -   said predetermined lightfield steering angle is Φ; and    -   |Φ|>|θ|.

34. A method of improving contrast in a projected image, said methodincluding:

-   -   receiving image data;    -   selectively steering portions of an illumination beam to        generate a desired lightfield based at least in part on said        image data;    -   separating reflected, unsteerable portions of said illumination        beam from said lightfield; and    -   modulating said lightfield to generate an image corresponding to        said received image data.

35. The method of EE 34, wherein said step of separating includesintroducing an angular disparity between said steered portions and saidreflected, unsteerable portions of said illumination beam.

36. The method of EE 34 or EE 35, wherein said step of separatingincludes reducing said reflected, unsteerable light by destructiveinterference.

37. The method of any one of EEs 34 to 36, wherein said step ofseparating includes filtering said reflected, unsteerable portions ofsaid illumination beam from said steered portions of said illuminationbeam.

38. The method of EE 37, wherein said filtering includes preserving theDC component of said lightfield.

39. The method of EE 38, wherein preserving said DC component of saidlightfield includes steering all of said lightfield by an amountsufficient to ensure that all portions of said illumination beamgenerating said lightfield are steered at angles that differ from zeroby a predetermined amount.

40. The method of EE 38, wherein preserving said DC component of saidlightfield includes:

-   -   determining a first set of steering angles required to generate        said desired light field based at least in part on said received        image data, said first set of steering angles being confined to        a predetermined range of angles; and p1 adding a predetermined        lightfield steering angle to every steering angle of said first        set of steering angles contributing to said lightfield to        generate a set of adjusted steering angles, said adjusted        steering angles all having values that differ from zero by a        predetermined amount.

41. The method of EE 40, wherein:

-   -   said first set of steering angles is in a range of −θ to +θ;    -   said predetermined lightfield steering angle is Φ; and    -   |Φ|>|θ|.

We claim:
 1. An image projector comprising: a light source configured to provide an illumination beam; a phase modulating spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to selectively steer one or more portions of said illumination beam to create a modulated illumination beam, said modulated illumination beam including light modulated by said phase modulating SLM and unmodulated light reflected from said phase modulating SLM; an optical component disposed in a path of said modulated illumination beam; and a filter disposed at or near a Fourier plane of said optical component and operative to at least partially block said unmodulated light reflected from said phase modulating SLM to create a filtered, modulated illumination beam.
 2. The image projector of claim 1, further comprising: an amplitude modulating spatial light modulator configured to receive said filtered, modulated illumination beam and configured to selectively modulate the amplitude of portions of said filtered, modulated illumination beam to create an imaging beam.
 3. The image projector of claim 1, wherein said filter includes an opaque region at a center of said filter.
 4. The image projector of claim 1, wherein said filter includes an opaque region disposed on an optical axis of said optical component.
 5. The image projector of claim 1, wherein said filter includes a polarized region at a center of said filter.
 6. The image projector of claim 4, wherein said filter is rotatable about an axis passing through said polarized region.
 7. The image projector of claim 1, wherein: said filter includes an opaque region displaced from an optical axis of said optical component; and said phase modulating SLM is operative to steer unwanted light toward said opaque region.
 8. The image projector of claim 6, wherein said filter includes a second opaque region disposed on said optical axis of said optical component.
 9. The image projector of claim 1, wherein: said filter includes an opaque region disposed to block said unmodulated light; and said phase modulating SLM steers unwanted modulated light toward said opaque region.
 10. The image projector of claim 1, further comprising: a controller operative to receive image data and to provide control signals based at least in part on said image data; wherein said controller is further configured to: determine a first set of steering angles required to provide a desired light field based at least in part on said received image data, said first set of steering angles being confined to a predetermined range of angles; add a predetermined lightfield steering angle to every steering angle of said first set of steering angles contributing to said lightfield to generate a set of adjusted steering angles, said adjusted steering angles all having values that differ from zero by a predetermined amount; and provide control signals to said phase modulating SLM causing said modulated light to be steered at said adjusted steering angles, thereby preventing said filter from blocking a DC component of said lightfield.
 11. The image projector of claim 1, wherein said filter is a transparent circular element with a light block at the center.
 12. The image projector of claim 1, wherein said filter is slideable with respect to the optical component.
 13. The image projector of claim 1, wherein said optical component is a Fourier lens.
 14. A method of improving contrast in a projected image, said method including: selectively steering portions of an illumination beam to generate a desired lightfield based at least in part on image data; separating one or more reflected, unsteerable portions of said illumination beam from said lightfield via filtering that preserve a DC component of said lightfield; and modulating said lightfield to generate an image corresponding to said received image data.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein preserving said DC component of said lightfield includes steering all of said lightfield by an amount sufficient to ensure that all portions of said illumination beam generating said lightfield are steered at angles that differ from zero by a predetermined amount.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein preserving said DC component of said lightfield includes: determining a first set of steering angles required to generate said desired light field based at least in part on said received image data, said first set of steering angles being confined to a predetermined range of angles; and adding a predetermined lightfield steering angle to every steering angle of said first set of steering angles contributing to said lightfield to generate a set of adjusted steering angles, said adjusted steering angles all having values that differ from zero by a predetermined amount.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: said first set of steering angles is in a range of −θ to +θ; said predetermined lightfield steering angle is Φ; and |Φ|>|θ|.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of separating is performed via filtering that attenuates the DC component of said lightfield.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein attenuating said DC component of said lightfield includes rotating a filter comprising a polarizing element, to alter the polarization orientation of the polarizing element with respect to the incident lightfield.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the filter is a transparent circular element with a polarizing disc. 